GM's hybrid system is so sophisticated and expensive that the automaker went looking for partners to help develop and pay for it. And it's so effective that when two of the auto industry's perennial technology leaders, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, got a look, both said "deal me in."
The deal became a four-handed game when Chrysler regained its independence from Mercedes last year.
Each of the partners contributed money and personnel to the project, which was based in a standalone engineering center in Troy. They all plan to offer vehicles with the system and using the General Motors transmission at its heart.
The two-mode hybrid is slated for use in trucks, SUVs and rear- and front-wheel drive cars from all four automakers. It will end up in a wide range of vehicles.
Here are the ones that have been announced so far:
GM
• Cadillac
Escalade
• Chevrolet
Silverado
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• GMC Sierra
• GMC Yukon
• Saturn Vue
• Saturn Vue plug-in
BMW
• X6 SUV
Chrysler
• Chrysler Aspen
• Dodge Durango
• Dodge Ram
Mercedes-Benz
• M-class SUV
Mark Phelan
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